Patents Examined by Sonya C. Harris
  • Patent number: 5342364
    Abstract: A tool intended to facilitate the trimming of the stem of a patellar prosthesis to adapt the length of the stem to fit differing cross-sectional thickness of a human patella is disclosed. The trimming tool includes a seat area for receiving the prosthesis and a cap member for securing the prothesis in the seat. The cap area includes an aperture therethrough which exposes a specific length of stem for trimming. A cutting guide on the cap member ensures that the stem is cut in a perpendicular orientation to the centerline axis of the prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: W. E. Michael Mikhail
  • Patent number: 5336216
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a defocused laser beam to a sharp-edged spot (having variable size) in a target plane. The beam has a low power density in a plane of interest between the delivery apparatus and the target plane. In a preferred embodiment, the target plane is the retina of a patient's eye, and the defocused beam profile is controlled so that the beam has low power density at the eye's cornea. The beam produced by the invention is useful not only for ophthalmic surgery, but also for industrial laser heat treating and cutting applications in which a sharp-edged beam cross-section is needed at a target, particularly where delivery of low beam power densities at non-target structures are desirable. In a preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus, an input laser beam emerges from an optical fiber, and a first lens (having short focal length) is mounted adjacent the optical fiber's output end to receive and transform the input beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Dewey
  • Patent number: 5330479
    Abstract: A casing having an arcuate tool bit at its front end. The tool bit oscillates, having opposite points entering into the bone alternately. The tool bit is driven by a rocking lever, and the lever is driven by a hammer driven by a motor with a flywheel. The arrangement provides a percussion thrust against the lever by the hammer in each of opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Henry B. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 5328488
    Abstract: Laser light apparatus for medical treatment to permit amputations, incisions, vaporization of living tissues of an animal such as a human body, thermal therapy and the like. This apparatus consists of a laser light generator, a laser light transmissive probe system and a laser light transmitting system. The laser light transmissive probe system is provided with an opposed pair of laser light transmissive probes. The opposed pair of probes can be controlled by a medical operator so as to be moved into or out of contact with each other at their laser light emitting portions. Laser light is transmitted to the opposed pair of probes from the laser light generator through the laser light transmitting system. Then, a target area of living tissues is pinched by the opposed pair of laser light transmissive probes so as to be disposed between the opposed pair of laser light emitting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: S.L.T. Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norio Daikuzono
  • Patent number: 5318565
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a cautery dissector. The cautery dissector is comprised of a cautery blade and a handle member having a sheath portion and a device for adjustably retracting the cautery blade into the sheath portion. The cautery dissector also comprises a device for conducting electrical current to the tissues of the patient. Heat is generated within the tissue by communication between the cautery blade and the electrical dissecting unit. Preferably, the cautery dissector includes a suction system having a suction opening disposed adjacent to the cautery blade. Preferably, the cautery blade retracts into the sheath portion through a sheath opening which scrapes accumulated material from the cautery blade such that when the cautery blade is retracted into the sheath portion, the suction opening is unobstructed for suction. Preferably, a scraper member is disposed within the sheath member to assist in scraping accumulated material from the cautery blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignees: Daniel B. Kuriloff, Robert K. Einhorn, Ansel M. Schwartz
    Inventors: Daniel B. Kuriloff, Robert K. Einhorn
  • Patent number: 5318560
    Abstract: A laser delivery system for ophthalmic surgery and the like includes a handpiece, a laser connector, and an optical fiber for transmitting laser light from a laser source to an eye to be treated. The optical fiber extends through the handpiece tip. The tip also includes a fluid path from the distal end thereof to the interior of the handpiece body. The handpiece body has a fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid path of the tip, which fluid path extends to the exterior of the handpiece. The probe is inserted into the eye during surgery and may have multiple functions, reducing surgical complications. Fluid in the eye may flow through the tip and the handpiece body while laser light from the laser source is directed by the optical fiber into the eye. Structure is provided for refluxing material in the tip back into the eye as desired by the user. Alternatively, fluid may be delivered through the handpiece and tip to the surgical site if needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Surgical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Blount, Stanley Chang, James C. Easley, Gregg D. Scheller
  • Patent number: 5312400
    Abstract: A cautery probe is described for use with an endoscopic instrument where the endoscopic instrument has an electrical contact located therein. The probe includes an insulated handle which extends out of the instrument, a conductive probe element which is mounted in the insulated handle and extends through the distal end of the endoscopic instrument, and an insulating cover. The conductive probe element has a distal cautery surface, and an electrical contact surface at a location between the proximal end of the conductive probe and the distal cautery surface, with the electrical contact surface contacting the electrical contact in the endoscopic instrument when said cautery probe is inserted in the endoscopic instrument. The insulating cover substantially covers the conductive probe element from the insulated handle up to but not at the electrical contact surface, and substantially covers the probe element from a point beyond the electrical contact surface, up to but not at the distal cautery surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Symbiosis Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas O. Bales, Dana W. Ryan, Matthew S. Solar
  • Patent number: 5304168
    Abstract: A real image/red ray pulse and beep type amblyopia curing device is designed to take into account the "Substitutive Suppressed Competition" theory and includes a main frame, a red ray projector, a real image projector, and an electronic circuit composed of a power supply circuit, a speaker circuit, a real image/red ray projector circuit, an oscillation circuit, a red lamp connected to the oscillation circuit, a real image lamp connected to the power supply, and a real image/red ray selector switch, in which the real image lamp is installed at the bottom of the real image projector, one or more lenses are installed at the front side of the real image projector to provide parallel rays for providing a steady real image, a non-transparent dot of preferably 3 to 8 mm in diameter is made at the center of the front surface of the lens or lenses, and the red ray lamp is installed within the red ray projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Pei-Chang Cheng
    Inventor: Han-Jun Sun
  • Patent number: 5304170
    Abstract: A method for treating dermatological organ disorders and skin lesions in a mammal through the use of directed, pulsed laser light is described.The dermatological disorders are characterized by an increase in concentration of potential photodynamic chemical compounds like carotenoid compounds, and especially the carotenoid beta-carotene, compared to normal skin. Pulsed dye laser light of a time and duration specific for maximal absorption by a carotenoid compound like beta-carotene is directed at the regions of carotenoid accumulation within a skin disorder. Thermal coagulation necrosis of the carotenoid-accumulating skin region results, though thermal damage to surrounding tissue is limited in amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Howard A. Green
  • Patent number: 5300062
    Abstract: A photocoagulator for guiding a semiconductor laser beam to an eye to be treated for a photocoagulation operation. The photocoagulator comprises a main device for incorporating first semiconductor laser light sources, an auxiliary device for incorporating second semiconductor laser light sources, an optical fiber for guiding to the auxiliary device output beams from the first semiconductor laser light sources incorporated in the main device, a combining optical element disposed in the auxiliary device for combining the output beams from the first semiconductor laser light sources and the output beams from the second semiconductor laser light sources into a combination beam, and a beam guide optical system for guiding the combination beam combined by the combining optical element to the eye to be treated. The photocoagulator having such an arrangement is made compact and can emit a laser beam having a sufficient energy level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Hidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokio Ueno
  • Patent number: 5298026
    Abstract: A tumor or other condition within a patient is treated by the application of laser energy through multiple optical fibers, all of which are disposed within a general guiding or outer tube. The optical fibers extend to within the patient by way of a single burr hole. Specifically, each optical fiber is disposed within a corresponding inner tube and each inner tube is disposed within the outer tube and is movable with respect to the outer tube. Each of the inner tubes is flexible and has a permanent bend disposed therein. Each inner tube is placed within the patient by way of the outer tube with the inner tube in a retracted or high energy state. In the retracted or high energy state, each inner tube is bent into a position constrained by the outer tube. Upon the outer tube being positioned at the tumor or other treatment zone, relative movement between the inner tubes and the outer tube frees the inner tubes from being constrained in the high energy or retracted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hsuan Chang
  • Patent number: 5295989
    Abstract: A light cable in an apparatus for ophthalmic operation using a laser beam, which introduces the laser beam into a delivery optical system by being connected with the apparatus body in which a laser system and a laser control system are provided, is disclosed. The light cable is constituted of a number of optical fibers for illumination light and a optical fiber for laser beam constitute, which optical fibers for illumination light are arranged around the optical fiber for laser beam in at least the end of emitting light beam of the optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5282801
    Abstract: A spinal fixation system is provided for engagement to the spine of a patient between several vertebral levels, which includes an elongated spinal rod configured for placement adjacent the spine. The system includes a number of vertebral fixation elements, each including a vertebra engaging portion and a rod engaging portion formed by a pair of posts extending from the vertebra engaging portion. The vertebral fixation elements are engaged to the spinal rod each by way of a top-loading clamp that permits access directly from the top of the instrumentation site for tightening the system. In particular, the clamp includes a body defining an elongated bore configured to receive the spinal rod therethrough so that the rod can at least initially slide along the length of the bore. A pair of threaded bores extend from opposite top and bottom surfaces of the body, each intersecting the elongated rod bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Danek Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5282798
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new and useful handpiece for use in connection with a orbicularly tipped contact surgical laser. The handpiece has a handle portion and an extended portion. The handle portion is sized for comfortable handling and is of sufficient strength to accommodate the stresses incident to use in rigorous applications such as orthopedic surgery. The extended portion is connected to the handle portion, and is sized so as to be inserted into the surgical site. The extended portion of the handpiece is adapted to enclose and support the orbicular tip of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignees: Heraeus Surgical, Inc., Surgical Laser Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny M. Bruse, John P. Novak, Jr., John P. Morley, Gerald D. Abell
  • Patent number: 5281217
    Abstract: A coaxial antenna assembly conducts a pressurized medium for absorbing heat along the coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart D. Edwards, Jerome Jackson, Roger A. Stern, Thomas M. Morse, Patrick M. Owens
  • Patent number: 5267993
    Abstract: A coupler for efficiently coupling a laser light source to a fiberoptic catheter. The coupler contains coding for determining information about the catheter, such as the size of the optical fiber catheter which it is coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: The Spectranetics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Grace, Facundo Aparicio
  • Patent number: 5261905
    Abstract: An improved electro-surgical laparoscopic cholecystectomy instrument having a housing (12) formed from an elongated rigid tube for suction and irrigation functionality wherein a distal end (16) of the housing (12) is placed an electrode (18) in the shape of a spatula with an arcuate placed notch (28) therein. The tip (30) of the spatula facilitates the blunt dissection at the electrode (18) and the notch allows for retracting dissection. The electrode (18) available to accept the requisite energy of electrocautery for coagulating and cauterizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventor: James H. Doresey, III